Kings County authorities responded to a catastrophic accident on Monday
October 1, 2012, in Hanford, California. According to the reports, a southbound
Amtrak train was struck after the driver of a big-rig truck failed to
yield at a crossing on a rural stretch of road. A spokesperson for the
California Highway Patrol claims that the train travelled approximately
600 feet following impact, eventually derailing after striking a switchback.
The crash caused the train's locomotive and several other cars to
be flipped onto their sides while en route to Oakland from Bakersfield.

Multiple state and local agencies responded to the chaotic scene to assist
the victims. Early reports indicate that there were 169 passengers aboard
the train and approximately 40-50 have suffered injuries. The full extent
of the injuries remains unclear, but fortunately none of the injuries
have been reported to be life-threatening. The victims have been transferred
to six different San Joaquin Valley hospitals with a large group being
transported to Adventist Medical Center in Hanford. Freighted passengers
who had not suffered serious injuries were transported to a nearby auditorium
in Hanford to contact family members and make emergency travel arrangements.

Investigators have not yet indicated what they believe caused this terrible
accident. Some common causes of trucking accidents include: aggressive
driving, texting drivers, driver intoxication and fatigue. Sadly, driver
fatigue is a frequent contributing cause of catastrophic trucking accidents
on California's roads and freeways. In an effort to combat driver
fatigue, the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has enacted extensive hours-of-service regulations.

Truck drivers who have not complied with the required rest intervals and
daily hour limits lack the perception, awareness, and reaction time to
safely operate massive big-rigs. An
employer can be held liable if it does not strictly enforce its driver's compliance
with the hours-of-service regulations. As demonstrated in this frightening
accident, an instant of truck driver negligence can cause an enormous
amount of pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured
in a California trucking accident call our office immediately for a free
consultation.

The trial lawyers of The Matiasic Firm specialize in advocating on behalf
of victims of trucking accidents. We immediately initiate a comprehensive
trucking accident investigation for our clients to preserve essential
evidence including: truck maintenance records, truck driver's driving
records, the on-board electronic recorder, and physical evidence from
the scene of the accident. Our trucking accident attorneys have experience
and familiarity with the federal regulations that govern the commercial
trucking industry. We utilize this understanding to make truck drivers
and their employers pay for their negligence. Our goal is always to get
our clients all of the money they deserve and need to rebuild their lives
following traumatic trucking accidents.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.